The Hindu : Front Page : Jamia re-opens after eight days

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 28, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Jamia re-opens after eight days

Staff Reporter

Hostels closed after last week's violence thrown open to students

NEW DELHI: After an eight-day closure following outbreak of violence on the campus, Jamia Millia Islamia here opened its doors to students again on Thursday. Though students were not in full attendance, the teachers certainly were.

Since the admission process is yet to be completed, classes have not begun in full swing. "Classes in the university really start in early August after the first year students have got admission into second year,'' said the university's media coordinator Rakhshanda Jalil, adding that the day passed off peacefully and no untoward incident was reported.

The university has also thrown open the boys' hostel, and admission for the girls' hostel also began on Thursday. The provosts have issued notices asking students to return to their hostels and complete all formalities related to admissions. At a meeting of deans and heads and senior faculty on Thursday, members expressed solidarity with Proctor Rocket Ibrahim who had stepped down on Wednesday to facilitate an enquiry into the violence. The meeting recorded its appreciation of Prof. Ibrahim's services to Jamia.

"The grievances committee set up to look into admission-related grievances also met on Thursday. It received four complaints. However, upon review it found that admission could not be given to these four candidates on disciplinary grounds,'' said a statement issued by Jamia.

Though the university has taken all steps to ensure that normality returns to the campus as soon as possible, the students on hunger strike are not willing to give up their agitation. Despite the Proctor having stepped down on Wednesday -- one of their main demands -- the agitators want his service to be "terminated''.

Students now want the university to grant admission to those who were earlier refused. The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) representatives who are supporting the agitating students have also sought time with Union Human Resource and Development Minister Arjun Singh.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page